Bookholder



July 7, 1936. N. MANOILOVICH ET AL 2,046,395

. BOOKHOLDER Filed Aug. 10, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTOR N EYS BOOKHOLDER Filed Aug. 10, 1933 N. MANOILOVICH ET AL July 7, 1936.

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INVENTOR Q i 7% M I ATTOR EYS v Patented July 7, 1936 7 BOOKHOLDER' I I Nicholas'Manoilovich, eantwo i gnand Eu- 1 gene Gruen andCarroll H.. Berin -New York, I

York, 'N. Y.

N, .Y.', assi'gnors to, Raymhna W. Brawn, New

Application August 10, 193%; s eriallqo. this" This inventionqrelates to holders for books, ledgers and theilike; One object of this invention isto provide a book holder which requires a" small space and a 5 minimum "or working parts, and which may be used to support a single book or aplurality of books.,. u l s V Another object of this invention is the provision of a book holding inechani'smprovided with 1;) means for .fercingsor projecting the mechanism to extended position when released;

A further object of this invention is. the provision of an automatic handling mechanism for supportinglarge and heavy books or the like;

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following description.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such otherv objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, com- 29 bination, and: arrangement of. parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a parthereof; and which show merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, two embodiments of" our invention," it being expressly understood, however, that variou's changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims withoutdig're'ssing from our inventive idea. I

In the drawings: V

Fig. I represents a reduced perspective view of the invention; 7 i r Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical cross section showing the device .in extended position;

Fig; 3 represents a longitudinal vertical cross section ofv the device in closed position with a lid or cover in position; v

Fig. 4 represents a partial vertical transverse section taken: substantially on lined-4 of Fig.3;

40 Fig. 5 represents a partial vertical-transverse cross section taken substantiallyon line 55 of Fig.3; Q a

Fig. 6 represents a detail of the mechanism for holdingthe book;

-15 Fig. 7 represents an enlargedhorizontal transverse crqss section taken substantially on line l-'I of Fig. 3 illustrating the releasing means for. the mechanism;

Fig. 8 represents an enlarged top plan view'of 50 gportion of the device shown by the arrow in Fig.2;

Fig. 9represents a longitudinalve'rtical parted cross section taken substantially on line 99'of Fig. 8' illustrating the means for releasing the Fig'.;l0 represents a modification of the invention where the back of the book is" normally held in a" horizontal position and the'book may be raised to the position shown in dotted linesin 60 the figure; V

.jls'blan s. (o1; 45-85) p I Referring now to the drawings, referencecharacter 2 5] designatesla casing or container having a front open end 22 adapted to receivea cover "24 meme the casing or container when the bookholder is not in use.. While the casing oracdnr15 tainer is 'shown in'Figure' 1 as containing three books; it is within the contemplationof the :in-

vention to increase or. decrease this numberfand also to use individual containers for individual books; At each side the front open end 'atLits 5 lower portion isprovided with a pin 26 wliichiooperates with the "hook members 28 secured .to

theinterior of cover 24 to act'as .apivot andsecuring means when the cover is to be applied to the casing 'or container as shown in Figure 3. 1'5

"Cover 2 5 has an apertured springtclip '30 which is adapted to receive pin 32 at the top of the open end of the casing to retain theacoverlin Y closed position Operating member 3| isi'pr'ovidedrforclip 3B. The inside ofith'e cover is 2 provided with a slidable strip 34 having a slot 3'6(see Figure '3) to receive headed pin 38;;the

- piri'bei'rig secure-d to the inside efjthe. cover 24 and acting as a guide for thestrip. projects thro'ugh o'pe'n'ingMl of the COVe1,-;a1'ld,iS

The "strip bent up'at its-outer end at 4-2 to form'an "operatin'g handle. At the" other end strip 34 .is provided with a flange '44 which cooperates with a'rodAB for operating the book holding mechanism later tobe described l 1- The mechanism forsupporting a book. andipresenting it in the position shown" in 1'.-c'omprises a; plurality of levers so pivoted that the book in the first part of its movement travels in-L'a -substantially straight line s'o th'at a easing. or container or only slightly greater height than the height o'i'jthe book is'required and a minimum of space is'required. Attached to the rear bottom portionqf the casing or container'2 0 is' a'channel'edmer'nber 48 having the upstanding sides 49 :140

to whichcertai'ri of the operating parts-are piv- V oted. elongated vertical memberjll having the tapering side flanges 5| is pivoted on'rod or ag le 52"at' its lower end where sidefiange's'if are 'g'rea'test' in widthjtc' the rear port ons of sides time channeledmembe'r 4a. The lower mappertion of memb'erjll is' cut at' an angle 53 toprovide v s acefor other o atingparts' later to"be de- The u per end r the membersn where the :50 flange 51' ar smallest in widthjis provided with 7 a book and will be later described. The top rear portion of member 58 is provided with elongated ears 60 which are 'adapted'to receive rod or pivot .62. Pivoted on this rod or pivot 62. adjacent'its '5 top is an elongated U-shaped strip member .64.

provided with thefiat bottom portion 66 (see Fig. 3) and the elongated upstanding arm's68 Adjacent the bottom portion of U-shaped strip member 64 the memberis pivotally mounted. on pintle or rod I0 which isconnected'to triangular members'IZ."

. members are connected by a rod or pin 16.: At the "front'lower corner each triangular member is] pivotally connected to-the upstanding sides 48 ;'-of base member48 by means of pivot I1 positioned to the rear'or pivot 52 of member "50. Atathe rear lower comer, I each triangular member I2 .is provided with angular slots 18 which receive rod or "axle 19 connected to the rear portion of the flanges or upstanding sides 49 of the base member r 48. xThe slots 18 permit limitedrotation of ,triangular members" on pivot or rod 11. r r

't The rear flat. portion of elongated. channeled member 50 near .itslower end is providedwith a r U-shaped bracket member80 forguiding'andreceiving a flat spring 'member82; The upper end .of the spring member 821s .bent at an angle-82'.

: and is provided with stop member. 84 which abuts U-sha'ped bracket member 80 to limit the'move- V ment of the spring member 82-. The spring member passes beneath pivot "lll'andat its-lower end 'is provided with'a benthook portion 83 to resiliently engage the bottom portion 66 of -LI-shaped member 64. Itis ;to be understood that the flat 7 v: 4 springs 'shownin the preferred embodiment may' be replacedby' other forms of springs,as'for instance; coil springs. When' the device is in closed position spring. member 82 is. under the'tension and when the device is" released; the spring memher forces the device-outwardly. i

h .Afspring member 85' fiatincross sectionis se- -cured at oneend 'to'the base member 48 asat86 :and isprovided with an opening 8'! to permit f passage therethrough. of operating rod 46. The other end of springvmember85gis. bifurcated to :form arms 86 which are bent to form hook mem- 'bers' 89 which engageand are mounted on rod .or pin :16. This spring member moves the tri-.

V angularvmembersjnabout pivot. 'Tl'during the first part of the. movement of the mechanism to V 7 cause the supported book to'travel inja substan- ;;tia1ly horizontal path'until it is clear of the 0215- :inglllp y Secured to the rod orlpin 19 .'intermediate;its

ends is a bell crank-lever havinga depending arm 9| (see'Fig; "3) to'which'operating rod 46 is .;pivotally connected-as at 92. The' front end of the lever 90Jis provided with a hook member 83.

' whichcooperates with the downwardly extending "lip member-194 secured-to the bottom'portion of {member 58: 'Rod 46: is guided by aiianged mem- :-berformedon spring member 85.. It-isto be dexpressly understood that the flanged member may be a separate element secured-tor the base member 48. Adjacent its outerend the rod 46 :is provided with pin 96 which abuts-the inner side -o'f flanged member '95 to limit the outward movelment thereof. Between thisfianged' member and pin 9'! on rod146 and extending around rod" is 75' arcoil sprlng'aradapted to force the :rod outrear of member 58.

portions I.4I pivoted at I42. Books'of .thischarwardly and maintain hook member 93 in engagement with lip member 94:soas to keep the parts.

normally in closed position.

The following construction is providedffor hold ing a book in the device.

6) to receive'top and bottom supporting flanges I I4 N6 of strips or straps I I8, located at the straps II 8' arelthe crossed strips I20, 'eachstrip being pivoted at its top to strips-or straps II8 asat I22. 'Th'e crossed strips I26 are'pivotedto eachother at I 24 "and at theirlower ends are provided with pivots I26 receivediin slots I28 on 5 strips or strapsIIiI; Connectingithe "flanges H4 1. and II6 on strips or straps. H8 at the front or; memberf58 are headedvertic'al'rodslilli and I 3L The rods l3ll:and I8I- are slidably mounteddn' .supporting flanges H4" and H6.

resiliently connected by means of springs I82; Pivotally mounted on ro'dsjl3liand I8I are 'elon-' gated'angulara'rms I83 adaptedzto receive a book.

.The bottom portions of'thearms I88 are bent to .form hooks I84 adapted to, receive and support 25" the :bottom back portion of :the. book; Pivotally mounted to the top of each arm' I83 are'thecIIps 1 I36} provided with vetricalarms I38 forlengaging the top portion of the back f thebook to securely holditinposition/ The inventionlisjespeciallyadapted fOlibOOkS of the construction shownin'the drawings (Figure 8) where. the. book I 40 is provided with the side acter are s'hownin- Patents 1,269,479and,1,270,246. i: Itiis toexpresslyundrstood however, that this invention. is not to be restricted tothis "form of book as'it maybe. used with books generally The backportionofthe book comprises two parts, I43

pivoted at.I44.1.- The book is provided-with a latch 40 memberl45which unlocks the book and permits the two halves ofthebook to be movedon pivot a I44 and also tov be; relatively: movedin a" vertical 7 position on members I33 so (that pages withinj the book may be shifted vertically :withrespect'r45j "to other pages and provide a marginal portion which is readily seen at the top of the page. To. provide automatic means for opening the latch member whenit isdesired to operate the book-to shift pages therein, the following construction is 50 provided. Secured at its one end to the rear of member' 56 is 'a flat strip member I46 having 'a' fiangel 41 at its lower end. Spring I48 is attached at itsonei end to flange I41 and at"its othe rend' t0 rod y means of the wire I49. The spring is- 55":

normally. under tension when thedevice is. closed and'when the device is released spring I48 func tions to assist in forcing the mechanism and-the book outwardly beyond the casing or container 20'." The main function of's'pri'ng I48;is to counterbalance the weightof thebook; It isto be noted that the tension of this springmavbe changed to compensate 'for books of different oted-cam member I52 which is adapted to engagev strip member I46. The cammember 152 mm prises a U-shaped'rnember pivoted at its e'ndsltol the strip memberl48'and adapted to have its.

bottom edge abut member I46. Thiscammemher is provided with. a cam. surface .I 54- which abuts rod 62 when the mechanism is being opened to depress strip member I46 and curvedmember 75 i V The flat portion of 41 "channeled member 5 8 is provided'with horizontal :top and bottom slots I I0 and I I2 (see Figs. 5 and Connecting the strips or The rods arerzo 1 150 to release the latch member 145. After this 'function has been performed, the cam member is swung into inoperative position shown in dotted lines -in Figure 2. When the mechanism is released by-operating rod 46,-the book and mechanism are forced outwardly and the hooked or curved member E56 forces latch member I45 downwardly so as to release the latch member and unlock the book so that pages therein may be rearranged as desired.

In the modification shown in Fig. the principle of operation is the same as that describedin connection with the form shown in the previous figures. However, in this form the books are placed in a vertical position with their backs placed horizontally and at the lower end of the opening in the desk so that when released the book will be presented in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. 1-9 will now be described. With the device in the closed position as shown in Fig. 3, it is first necessary to unlatch cover 24 and rotate it about pivot 25 into the position shown in Fig. 2. The bent portion 42 of flat strip 34 is then moved .toforce rod 46 inwardly. Movement of rod actuate's bell crank lever 90 and releases lip member 94 on member 58. The spring 82, assisted by springs and I48 then moves the book MB and the book supporting mechanism into the position shown in Fig. 2. It is to be noted that casing 29 is substantially the same height as the book Hill and it is necessary for the book to travel substantially in a horizontal path at the beginning of its movement while it is in the casing in order not to contact the casing 28 in its passage therefrom. After the book has gone a short distance it begins to move angularly and at the end of the movement assumes the angular position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to facilitate use thereof. To provide this initial horizontal movement and later angular movement the plurality of levers'and fulcrums are provided. By providing this mechanism a more compact device is obtained.

The device is especially adapted for use with books of the construction shown in Fig. 8 where the parts of the book are pivotally connected and have latching means for connecting and locking the parts in close-d position. When the book is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 it is also desirable to have the parts of the book in unlatched condition. To efiect the automatic unlatching or unlocking of the parts of the book, the flat member MB having an angular portion I59 is provided. At the end of the travel of the book, cam member I52 abutting rod forces the bent portion l 59 of strip member I46 and latching means hi5 downwardly to unlatch or unlock the parts of the book and pages may be shifted or removed from the book in this position.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the operation of the device described. However, in this modification the original position of the book is different from the position shown in Fig. 1 in that the back of the book is in a horizontal position.

What we claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, a base -member, lever means pivotally mounted on said base member, a member pivoted to said lever means and provided with arms adapted to support a book, one of said arms being movable longitudinally with respect to said pivoted member, said lever means being provided with means for releasing a latch mechanism on a book.

2. In a device of the character described, acasing, a lever pivoted therein, means for limitingthe movement of said lever, book supporting means .pivoted to said lever, means for connecting said back supporting means and said limiting means, means for releasably holding said lever and said book supporting means in closed position in, said casing, said lever being so pivoted and mounted that a book on the book supporting means travels in a substantially horizontal path for a short distance, and then the book is moved angularly to" present the book at an angle.

A device of the character described, including a casing for holding a plurality of books, means for releasably holding a book in a vertical position in said casing, said means comprising a lever pivoted in said casing, book supporting means pivotally connected to said lever, a compound lever in said casing and connected to said a lever pivoted in said casing, book supporting means pivotally connected to saidlever, and a compound lever in said casing and connected to said book supporting means whereby when a book is moved from said casing the book travels in a substantially horizontal path for a short distance and then the book is moved to present the book at an angle, said lever being provided with means for releasing a latch on a book in the book supporting means when the book is substantially at the end of its travel.

5. A device of the character described, including a casing, a cover for said casing, means in said casing for supporting a book in a vertical position, said means including resilient means for presenting the book at the front of thecas- I ing, said first mentioned means including a plurality of pivoted and associated levers,v means for releasably holding said levers within said casing, and means on said cover for releasing said releasable means.

6. In a device of the character described, a casing, a base member secured to the interior of said casing, a lever pivotally mounted on said base member within said casing, book supporting means pivotally mounted on said leverand provided with relatively movable arms for support-. ing and holding a book, means for releasably holding said lever and said book supporting means within said casing, and resilient means cooperating with said lever and said book supporting means for forcing said book supporting means and said lever outwardly with respect to said casing. I i

7. In a device of the character described, a casing, a base member secured to the interior of said casing, a. lever pivotally mounted on said base member within said casing, book supporting means pivotally mounted on said lever and provided with relatively movable arms for-suporting and holding a book, means for releasably holding said lever and said book supporting means Within said casing, and resilient means cooperating with said lever and said book supporting means for forcing said book supporting, means and said lever outwardly with respect to said'cas 6O porting member may be removed from said casf ing, saidmeans including a triangular member" 4 ing, said lever being provided withme ansfor releasing a latch mechanism on a book held in said book supporting means. 7

, 8. In a device of the character described, a'cas ing, a base member rigidly secured to'the interior ofsaid casing, aleverpivotallymounted on said base member within said casing, book supporting means pivotally mounted on said lever for sup-.

porting a'book having vertically, relatively movable pivoted parts, saidbook supporting means being provided with vertically; relatively movable arms for supporting'and holding the book whereby the parts of the book maybe shifted vertically 'without removing the book from, the device,

means pivotally mounted on said base memben and an elongated arm'for connecting said last 7 mentioned means'to said book supporting means,

V 9. In a device of the character described, a

- casing, abase member rigidly secured tjd the interior of said casing, a lever pivotallymounted on said base member within said casing, bookfsupporting'means pivotally mounted on said lever wand provided with relatively? movable arms for V supporting'and' holding a book, meansipivotally mounted on said base member, and an elongated arm for connecting said last mentioned means to said book supporting means; and resilient means between said lever, and said elongated arm.

. 10. In a device of the character described, a casing, a base member rigidly secured to the in terior of said casingia lever U-shaped in cross section and'pivoted at its lower end to said'base member'within said casing; a book supporting member pivoted at its upper endto the other end "of said U-shapd lever, and'means for releasably holdingsaid lever andsaid book support ing member within said casing in closed position,

said book supporting member being received within said U-shaped lever in such closed posie tion. 11. A device of the character described, in-

cluding, in combination, a casing, a base member rigidly 'secured to the interior of saidca-sing,

, a lever pivoted at one end to-said base member,

abook supporting member pivoted to the other end'of said lever, releasable holding means on said base member, and an eXtensionon said book supporting member and adapted to be releasably 'heldby said releasable holding means foreholding said lever and book supporting member within said casing.

12; A device or the character described, in-m eluding, in combination, a casing, a base mem ber rigidly secured to the interior of said casing,

Cal

" a lever pivoted at one end to said base member,

a book supporting member pivoted to the other end' of said lever, a second lever pivoted to said ibook supporting member, and means for pivotally connecting said second lever ,to said base member whereby a book supported by said suppivoted' at one corner to said second lever and 'at another corner to said base member and havinga slot and pin connection at its thirdcorner with said base member.

13. A device of the character described, includ ,ing, in combination, a casing, a base member rigidly secured to the interior of said casing, a lever. pivoted to said base member, a booksupporting member pivoted to the other end of said lever, means associated with said book supporting memher and said base member whereby when a book on said book supporting member is moved from said casing thebook travels in a substantially means connected to said lever meansan'd adapted to support a book having ver'tlcally movable pivoted parts and alatch mechanism for releashorizontal path for a'sh'ort distance and then the bookgis tilted while being moved further outward to present the book at an angle, and resilient .means associated with said book, supporting member and said lever-for assistingwith the movement of said parts during removal of'abook from said casing.

14. Ina device of the character described/a casing, lever meansgpivotally mounted therein,

ably holding the pivotedjparts, said supporting I means being provided with means adapted, to re lease the latchmechanism onthe book-'sojas tov permit relative vertical movement'of the pivoted parts of the book whereby. pages therein may be V shifted while-the book is supported by the'device connected to said lever means and 'adaptedto support a book 'having'vertically, relatively mov-r able pivoted parts; said supporting means includingvertically, relatively; movable armsto permit the relative vertical movement of thepivoted *parts of the book wherebyp ag es therein may be shifted while the book is supported by the device without removing the book from said supporting means. 7

16. A device; of the character described for holding books and the like,-including, in combination, a casing, means pivotally mountedtherein, means connected to said'first mentioned means and adaptedto support a book havin'g'relatively and vertically movable pivoted parts, said supporting means being provided withmeans to permit the relative vertical movement of the pivoted parts of the book whereby pages therein may be shiftedwhile the book issupported andheld by the device without removing the book from said supporting means,

17. A device of 'the' character described for holding books and the like; including, in combination, a base member, book supporting means mounted on said'base member for s upportingja book. having relatively and vertically movable pivoted parts, said supporting means including.

relatively movablearms to permit the relative' V 'movement of the pivoted parts ofithe book in a u vertical direction so' that p'ages in; the book may be shifted while the? bookis supported on the device without rem'ovingthe book from said supporting means.

18. .In a device of means connectedto said lever means and adapted to support a book having relatively movable.

pivoted'parts' and a latch'mechanism for normally releasably holding the pivoted parts of the book in, closed positionflsaid supporting means. and lever .means being provided with means adapted to release the latch mechanism on the book when the book is'withdrawn from said cas- -ing so that the pivoted parts of the book are in the character described; a. V casing, lever means pivotally mounted' therein,

an unlatched condition while the book-is supported and held by the device and without removing the book from said supporting means.

NICHOLAS 'MANOILOVICH. I EUGENE GRUEN.' CARROLL 'H. BERILL. 

